Lismore’s laneways will be transformed into a celebration of music, art, food and creativity on Saturday, 23 August, for the inaugural LOLA: Laneways of Lismore Arts Festival. LOLA is a free, all-ages arts and music event showcasing both local and national talent.

Running from 1pm to 9pm, LOLA will transform Carrington Street and its laneways into a vibrant festival precinct, featuring a dynamic mix of live music, visual art, lighting installations, vintage, art and vinyl markets, a dedicated children’s zone, food trucks and licensed bars.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said Lismore laneways are one of our most under-utilised assets.

"If you walk around the streets of Lismore and you walk down our laneways, in my opinion, they they they remind me so much of Flinders Lane in Melbourne and all these quirky little laneways in capital cities. To be able to get some funding to activate these laneways, even if it is for a day, it's a start of where Lismore is heading. Lismore is on the upw, we are growing, we are thriving, we're coming back bigger and better than ever.

Mayor Krieg thanked Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, for giving $30,000 towards the LOLA Festival.

"I'm quite excited about this event," said Mr Hogan, "We've all travelled through a lot of regional centres throughout New South Wales and other states throughout Australia, but I think one of the really unique things Lismore have are these laneways and alleyways in the centre of the block. It's quite unique, and it gives the place, and always has, a lot of character.

"Anything that brings activity to this town and indeed, our region, I'm very supportive of. I'm sure this will be a wonderful day, a wonderful festival and a wonderful celebration. Any community day is about getting together to hang out with each other, which is a positive thing, but as part of that, to celebrate something, to acknowledge something that is quite unique about Lismore."

Marty Baptist is one of the local visual artists, along with Paul McNeil, were invited to perform at the LOLA Festival.

"What we're basically doing is getting five plywood panels, so it'll be dismountable as well, but on the day, we'll be painting live. This one will be my sort of loose figurative work with a lot of text. And Paul McNeil is one of the old original Mambo artists, so he'll be doing his work, and then we'll be doing a collaboration together.

The LOLA Festival will provide another boost for local businesses around the block as it attracts people into the CBD.

Chloe Bolliger is the manager of 187 Cantina. She said the festival will be incredible, with the restaurant is looking to expand its licensing area.

"There'll be a pop-up bar on the outside, so it'll be able to feel a lot more inviting. We will incorporate the music, you can have takeaway drinks, you can wander around, see things, and then also help the businesses around Lismore that might go unnoticed, for their little beauties, if not for events like this. So we're really excited to be able to be involved in that.

LOLA is a welcome addition to Lismore’s proud tradition of unique and much-loved events. Last week the state government announced funding for Lismore's iconic Eat The Street Festival for three years.

“Lismore has always been known for its vibrant, creative community and its ability to deliver standout events that celebrate who we are,” Mayor Krieg said.

“This event will activate our city centre and showcase Lismore as a vibrant destination. I’m really looking forward to seeing LOLA grow into a staple of Lismore’s annual event calendar.”

"We're also talking with some other companies that do festivals and sporting events, and it's all about promoting Lismore as a destination now, and how we do that.

"We've revitalised our sporting facilities. So let's get some baseball tournaments at Albert Park. Let's really activate our Oakes and Crozier Ovals, and get sporting events here, and especially in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics. Our new skating facility that we haven't yet opened, but won't be far away, is Olympic standard, so let's get Olympic teams from around the globe to use Lismore as a training hub.

"It's very much integrated to making Lismore that destination again, that we sort of lost along the way. But with the music, the arts and the culture that we've got, the NORPA development, it's such an exciting prospect as well, Lismore is well on track to becoming that central hub again."

Festival-goers can look forward to an exciting music line-up including acclaimed musician Mitch Tambo, high-energy sets from FLO DJs, and Melbourne indie favourites Cool Sounds and Eggy, presented by Jet Black Cat Music, alongside a vibrant showcase of local talent.

Visual highlights include bold, immersive works from celebrated Australian artists Paul McNeil (Mambo, Deus ex Machina) and Marty Baptist, who will bring Lismore’s iconic laneways to life with colour and creativity.

LOLA is proudly funded by Lismore City Council and the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund.

For more information, visit www.visitlismore.com.au/lola.